The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-20
A HAPPY EXCHANGE.

Jack, let us 90 over the stile; they
look so picturesquely happy there,
under that big chestnut tree. VIII
you Gomez"
Haven't sufficient audacity, drawl-
ed Jack Hammond lazily Don't
know who they are, and never could
endure to intrude on strangers. /
don't think they want us, do you?"
"You think them lovers" said Miss
May Carol, with curl of her pretty
lip; ''well, if they are, no doubt they
see enough of each other to be bored
half to death. You may go back if
you like, but I'm going to scrape ac-
quaintance with that pretty girl"
lawfully bad FORM" Jack answer
ed, in his indolent but musical voice,
as he lounged to the stile to help MAY
over. But if you'll present me, I'll
follow as rapidly as the law of my be-
ing win allow"
And he did follow; for Mays light
foot scarcely seemed to touch the grass
over which it sped, as she went
through the glad golden sunlight of
an October day, toward the fate which
had been sent to meet her in the Sc
rene dullness of the country, to which
her physician had banished her in
July.
Under the 0ide-spreading branches
of massive chestnut tree, were seat
ed the two whom she had seen as she
sauntered slowly through the neigh
boring field with her tiance, who had
come to board at a farmhouse near,
as in duty bound, when freed from his
desk in the city for a few weeks; and
who had yawned more, in the fort
night he spent there, than in the whole
of his previous existence.
Through an opening in the boughs
above, broad lance of sunlight fell
on the upturned olive face of a young
man, who lay in the grass, supremely
at ease, his hands clasped under his
head, his long limbs stretched out,
soft felt hat lying near, filled with
mass of yellow, crimson, and brown
fiecked leaves, which, evidently, his
companion had gathered, for her own
lap was full of similar beauty, and she
was reading aloud from "a book of
poems.
isn't she pretty?" May thought. as
she looked at the dainty delicate out
lines of the sweet downbent face, as
flower-fair as any her eyes had rested
on, with the dew of life's early morn
ing on its beauty.
Then Mays light step paused, for it
did seem too bad to interrupt the
clear soft voice that read such tender
words:
THAT sacred hour can forget?
Can forget the hallow'd grove,
Where by the winding Ayr met
To live one day of parting lover"
Then pair of frank, childish, star
like eyes lifted suddenly, and May,
meeting their glance, advanced with
smile, her languid affianced beside
her.
Forgive us for interrupting you in
this manner" she said; "but we were
SO tired of each others society, and
/ we saw you from the stile. May tell
you who we are? am Mary Carol
| staying at the Fairfax Farm: and this
is Mr.. Jack Hammond, on whom
fortnights rustication has had the
melancholy effect you see" with
laughing glance at Jack, who made
his choicest bow, and barred a we'll
set head, on which grew a wealth of
shining silken hair, that perfectly
matched with his heavy blonde nous
| tache.
The girl sprang impulsively to her
feet, scattering her gatherings.
Il am so glad you came" she said
| in clear fresh voice, as full of music
as a birds. 'Lionel and | were wish
| ing we knew somebody here; 1t is so
quiet. Brother" turning to the young
| giant with olive face and dusky head,
who had lifted himself from the
| grass, "let me introduce you-oh, /
| forgoti l am Inez Brabos, and Lionel
| is my brother"
Something in the dark laughing
eyes bent on her face, as Lionel Bra
bos bowed lowly before her, made
Mays cheeks bloom for a moment
| like twin roses.
But she forgotit very soon, as, sit
ting down beside her new acquaint-
ances, she watched Jack gather and
arrange the autumn leaves for IneZ.
An hour was spent under the chest
nut tree; a ramble along the highway
and through the cool shady lanes that
| led thither in the vicinity, arranged
| for the morrow.
| And when May and Jack walked
| that evening, and the tiny moon was
|
toward her companion.
Ibid you ever see so lovely face
as Inez Barbos'?" she exclaimed.
Were man, I'd fall in love with
| her straightway."
What Whether you were free to
do so or not, May?"
She looked grayely off to where a
few stars gemmed the azure of the
tranquil sky.
Lone who is unwed is always free,
Jack" she said, softly; remember
that Man or woman who is bound
only by spoken promise, should not
hesitate should new love-a stronger
and greater one-come. / wonder
| if you could not love some other wo-
man more than you love me? l think
you could, Jack"
| May, what nonsense you are talk
ingw
But as he spoke, the vision of fair
| fiower-sweet face, with perfect dewy
and fingered, while the nightingales
trilled in the hedges, and the night all
grew strangely chill.
From that day, which saw the be-
ginning of an acquaintance between
| Tic 4Oui fouhe PcOp4cs AHtlc HClC IL
more sighings on the part of May fol
the town and its gaieties, no more
yawning on the part of Jack; for Z
merrier fortnight never sped thar
that which followed, and it was witt
sincere regret that May learned a
last that her brother would come fol
her in few days, to bear her back
plump and healthy, to her city
home.
..And my holiday ends the day aftel
tomorrow" Jack said to her ruefully
when she told him. Haven't eyel
been so happy in my life We mus
all meet here next summer, May
Let's arrange it.
He did not see the shiver that sho1
| over his affianced at these words.
I'm arrange nothing of the sort,
she said, impatiently. Now let US q
over and get Inez to ramble with u.
for an hour or two"
.And her brother" Jack put il
with his usual alacrity- '.Uncom
monty nice fellow, isn't hep
But May gave no reply. She walk
| ed beside her betrothed in grave ant
unbroken silence. strange new shad
ow in her blue eyes,
They generally found Inez and Lilo
| mel under the branches of that grea